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First-time voters in Tauranga have their eyes to the future when it comes to casting their votes in the local body elections.

Despite voter-turnout for youths declining in the past few elections, four Otumoetai College students are keen to have their say come October.

Receiving their voting papers in the mail this week, Adam Harrington, McKenna Armstrong, Damien Potts and Marnie Hunter, all 18, have been researching and brushing up on the candidates running for Tauranga City Council.

"If you don't vote, you can't have a say and you can't complain," McKenna said.

"The amount of non-participation is why it's important for us to vote. We have a different and unique voting perspective," Adam said.

A fear of Tauranga turning into a mini-Auckland was propelling Adam to vote.

"We're predicted to have quite a few issues with so many people moving to Tauranga, so it's important to make sure who we vote for now sets up our city for the future so we can keep it beautiful the way it is," Adam said.

He said he valued having a growing city but without the big-city feel to it and not having to wait in traffic or battle to find a parking spot.

Marnie said the fast-paced growth of Tauranga was getting more noticeable."What's their [the council and mayor's] plan for that and how can we sustain the feel we have in Tauranga?"

McKenna said Tauranga's charm was the laid-back beach life and if beaches and roads became too clogged that would be lost.